Knowing our battle
This week's study is on Romans 13:5-7:
Paul is talking here about submitting to authorities. He then switches to talking about paying taxes and so on. There's a bit of temptation as a Christian to be all like "I am in this world, but not of it, so I'm not paying taxes because I am part of God's kingdom, not man's." Or maybe we feel taxes are unjust for one reason or another, and we rail against paying them. "I refuse to pay five cents per can to cover recycling. It's unjust! And I'm not paying my TV fee this year either!" But is that the right attitude to have, as Christians?
Let me first say that I think that governments get more rotten over time. Eventually they become almost completely corrupt and get overthrown, either from within or by invasion. In Paul's time, the Roman government had already gotten pretty bad. There was widespread corruption and favoritism, a policy of imperialism that squandered the people's wealth, and oppressive taxes to pay for it all. Tax collectors in Palestine, for instance, were totally despised. They were quislings, traitors, rotten people who betrayed their own people to get rich and powerful. There were good reasons to rail against them, or to plot insurrection.
But Paul is saying, "Look, this isn't your fight." We're not called to be social justice warriors, revolutionaries, tax protestors, etc. Our job is to love one another, represent Christ's kingdom to the world, and dwell in gratitude for what God has done for us. If the emperor imposes oppressive rules and regulations on our daily lives, taxes us into poverty, and drafts our children to go fight his wars for him, what is that to us? If it doesn't keep us from loving and believing and being who we are supposed to be, what does it matter? It's a noble fight, but it's not our fight.
If we owe taxes, even if they are unjust, we should still pay them. It's infuriating for your money to be taken from you and spent on evil things, but what if we refused? Then Christians would have a reputation for being enemies of the state, and would bring needless persecution on themselves, not for Christ but for ideology. Is it worth losing the opportunity to be authentic and to live your faith openly, just to save money?
Jesus had a similar chat when asked if the Jews should pay taxes. He said to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. In other words, Caesar printed up all of this money and now he wants some back. Fine. Let him have it. God is not poor. Jesus essentially conjured money out of thin air for Peter to use in paying the temple tax. Money is not important. Obedience is.
The same goes for any fees society asks of us. If society mandates you to pay health insurance, then pay it. If it's a TV fee for a TV you don't own, pay it. If it's parking fees, pay them. Is God unaware of the costs of living in today's world? Is he unable to support his people?
If we're living in the world, but not of it, it means we're guests. Guests are polite. There are things we need to worry about while we're here, but the affairs of the world are not among them. God will provide for all of our needs. He will give us the strength to do what must be done.
It's a humbling exercise to sit and consider your heart's attitude towards your government and its various agencies, and your employer, and your various other interactions with the powers of this world. Are we humble? Loving? Generous? Polite? Are we demonstrating Christ as our paths cross those in power? If not, there's work to be done, and bigger battles to be fought within.
Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Paul is talking here about submitting to authorities. He then switches to talking about paying taxes and so on. There's a bit of temptation as a Christian to be all like "I am in this world, but not of it, so I'm not paying taxes because I am part of God's kingdom, not man's." Or maybe we feel taxes are unjust for one reason or another, and we rail against paying them. "I refuse to pay five cents per can to cover recycling. It's unjust! And I'm not paying my TV fee this year either!" But is that the right attitude to have, as Christians?
Let me first say that I think that governments get more rotten over time. Eventually they become almost completely corrupt and get overthrown, either from within or by invasion. In Paul's time, the Roman government had already gotten pretty bad. There was widespread corruption and favoritism, a policy of imperialism that squandered the people's wealth, and oppressive taxes to pay for it all. Tax collectors in Palestine, for instance, were totally despised. They were quislings, traitors, rotten people who betrayed their own people to get rich and powerful. There were good reasons to rail against them, or to plot insurrection.
But Paul is saying, "Look, this isn't your fight." We're not called to be social justice warriors, revolutionaries, tax protestors, etc. Our job is to love one another, represent Christ's kingdom to the world, and dwell in gratitude for what God has done for us. If the emperor imposes oppressive rules and regulations on our daily lives, taxes us into poverty, and drafts our children to go fight his wars for him, what is that to us? If it doesn't keep us from loving and believing and being who we are supposed to be, what does it matter? It's a noble fight, but it's not our fight.
If we owe taxes, even if they are unjust, we should still pay them. It's infuriating for your money to be taken from you and spent on evil things, but what if we refused? Then Christians would have a reputation for being enemies of the state, and would bring needless persecution on themselves, not for Christ but for ideology. Is it worth losing the opportunity to be authentic and to live your faith openly, just to save money?
Jesus had a similar chat when asked if the Jews should pay taxes. He said to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. In other words, Caesar printed up all of this money and now he wants some back. Fine. Let him have it. God is not poor. Jesus essentially conjured money out of thin air for Peter to use in paying the temple tax. Money is not important. Obedience is.
The same goes for any fees society asks of us. If society mandates you to pay health insurance, then pay it. If it's a TV fee for a TV you don't own, pay it. If it's parking fees, pay them. Is God unaware of the costs of living in today's world? Is he unable to support his people?
If we're living in the world, but not of it, it means we're guests. Guests are polite. There are things we need to worry about while we're here, but the affairs of the world are not among them. God will provide for all of our needs. He will give us the strength to do what must be done.
It's a humbling exercise to sit and consider your heart's attitude towards your government and its various agencies, and your employer, and your various other interactions with the powers of this world. Are we humble? Loving? Generous? Polite? Are we demonstrating Christ as our paths cross those in power? If not, there's work to be done, and bigger battles to be fought within.
Comments
Post a Comment